1
Fabien Galthie convinces France star to make retirement U-turn - report
By Josh Raisey
France and La Rochelle prop Uini Atonio is set to come out of international retirement and make himself available for the Six Nations next year, according to French outlet L'Equipe.
The 33-year-old announced his international retirement alongside lock Romain Taofifenua following France's World Cup quarter-final loss to eventual champions South Africa last month, but it is being reported that France head coach Fabien Galthie and his staff have apparently convinced him to make a U-turn and come out of retirement if only for the upcoming Six Nations. That means his international retirement lasted just over a month and encompassed no international matches for Les Bleus.
France are already set to be without captain and talisman Antoine Dupont for the Six Nations as he pursues his goal of representing France Sevens at the Paris Olympic Games, so Galthie may have felt he needed the experience, and the formidable 146kg frame, of Atonio.
The 57-cap front row made his return to action last weekend after the disappointment of the World Cup, coming off the bench in La Rochelle's 18-15 win over Bayonne in the Top 14, which took them to tenth in the league after a disappointing start.
With Toulouse's 145kg lock Emmanuel Meafou now eligible to represent France next year, Galthie has the potential to field a monstrous pack.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Why World Cup winner doesn’t blame All Black for leaving New Zealand
3
Tyrone Green decision has huge bearing on his international future
4
Five legends to be inducted into World Rugby Hall of Fame
5
Latest Comments
I think it's the least likely possibility Ed.
Go to commentsScotland should win this one, considering they are the settled team compared to Australia. However, that is no guarantee that they will win. The Aussies tails is up, and they are throwing everything at the opposition.
When the Aussie fans cracked up and got angry when Joe Schmidt was appointed, I said to them to be patient, that he will get them on the right track. They said that he is not Australian and he won nothing. Second best. I should mind my own business because I don't know the Aussie ways, which is true as I'm SA.
However, now that he is bringing in results, they are all changing their minds. Joe is all in when he coaches a team. There is no team he supports more than the team he coaches. His quality is shining through properly now.
It's going to be a very tight game, much tighter than people realise. Both teams is playing exciting rugby right now. They both want to win. I'd even go as far as marking this game as the top game of the weekend.
Go to comments